title: A comparative biomechanical study of proximal femoral nail (InterTAN) and proximal femoral nail antirotation for intertrochanteric fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical strength of the cephalomedullary nail InterTAN in cases of intertrochanteric fractures with the commonly used PFNA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen fresh specimens of the proximal femur were used as intertrochanteric fracture models and were fixed using two fixation devices: the new proximal femoral nail (InterTAN) and proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA). An intertrochanteric fracture was created in composite bone models. Each specimen was loaded to simulate single leg stance while stiffness, migration (cut out), compressive force across the fracture site, and distal fragment rotation were monitored. The different internal fixation methods were tested by an experimental press analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results of tests for femoral strength, stiffness, stability, and bearing capacity demonstrated that the biomechanical function of InterTAN was better than that of PFNA (P < 0.05). Compared with the PFNA nail, InterTAN showed increased strength, stiffness, and resistance torque of 30%, 15%, and 27%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Comparison of the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures with InterTAN and PFNA internal fixation showed that the InterTAN yielded improvement relative to the PFNA. InterTAN has a firmer and biomechanically superior performance and is therefore an ideal internal fixation method for treating intertrochanteric fractures. Additional research in osteopenic bone is necessary to comprehensively characterize the effects of the design enhancements of these two implants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Central Hospital of Jinshan District Affiliated to Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated To Shanghai Jiaotong University, 147 Jiankang Road, Jinshan District, Shanghai, China, 201500.
authors.forename: Yanfeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Chunlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Luo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001858:Bone Nails / Q000145:classification*; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D005270:Femur Head / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D033081:Shear Strength; D019415:Torque; D016896:Treatment Outcome